The Long Island Lizards (1-0) defeated the Baltimore Bayhawks (0-1) in a
come-from-behind victory in a rematch of the 2002 Championship Game, 14-12,
at Homewood Field. The Lizards were trailing 10-8 after three quarters, but
outscored their rivals, 6-2, in the fourth quarter of the league opener.
Greg McCavera was named Bud Light MVP, with two goals and two assists, both
goals coming in the final quarter. Jay Jalbert (3g) and Kevin Lowe (1g, 2a)
were also impressive in their Lizards debut. Mark Millon led the Bayhawks
with four goals. The game was delayed 38 minutes due to severe
thunderstorms in the Baltimore area.

Matt Caione scored the game-winner, breaking a 12-12 tie with just under
five minutes remaining to put the Lizards on top for good. Greg McCavera
sealed the win with a power-play goal, with 1:31 remaining.

Paul Cantabene scored the first goal of the game for Baltimore with a
rocket outside shot only 19 seconds in. One minute later, Jay Jalbert
responded with his first goal as a Lizard, catching a pass from Ken Garcia
and notching the game at one. Long Island scored two more, with Conor
Denihan beating Cattrano and Jalbert scoring his second goal of the game to
give the Lizards a 3-1 lead. However, Baltimore answered back, scoring
three straight goals. Jeff Sonke cut into the lead with a goal just inside
the two-point line, and Josh Sims tied the game, 3-3, only 39 seconds
later. Sonke scored again on the power play to give the Bayhawks a 4-3
lead, but Kevin Lowe scored his first career goal off of the ensuing
faceoff on a pass from Chris Cercy to tie the game at four after one
quarter.

Baltimore exploded early in the second quarter, with Josh Sims, Tom
Marachek and Jude Collins scoring to put the Bayhawks up 7-4, but did not
get on the board again for nearly ten minutes. AJ Haugen and Jay Jalbert
took advantage, cutting into the lead, but Mark Millon and Gary Gait scored
for Baltimore to recover the three-goal lead. Conor Denihan beat Cattrano
with just over one minute to play to cut the score to 9-7 at the half.

After thirteen minutes of no-score lacrosse, Mark Millon and Ken Garcia
scored the only goals of the third quarter to make the score 10-8, in favor
of Baltimore, with fifteen minutes to play. Haugen, McCavera and
Goettelmann scored three straight to put the Lizards on top, 11-10 to start
the final quarter. The teams traded goals, until Caione beat Greg Cattrano
with 4:46 remaining.

Baltimore racked up 8:00 worth of penalties, seven in the second half to
help the Lizards power-play. Long Island only had two penalties, both early
in the game. Brian Dougherty made his Lizards debut between the pipes with
18 saves, edging 2002 MLL MVP Greg Cattrano, who had 17 saves.

The Lizards host the Rochester Rattlers (1-0) in their home opener on
Friday, 7:30 PM at Mitchel Athletic Complex, when Casey Powell makes his
return to Long Island. The Lizards are 5-0 all-time against the Rattlers.